Pan Zareta
Encyclopedia
Pan Zareta, was a chestnut
Thoroughbred
racehorse born in the United States
in 1910. She competed from Mexico
to Canada
, as well as in eight U. S. states. While she never won a significant race, and only once beat a top-level horse (Old Rosebud
), she was still called "Queen of the Turf."
Bred by J. F. and H. S. Newman, from Sweetwater, Texas
, Pan Zareta's sire was Abe Frank, and her mother was Caddie Griffith, sired by Rancocas
. Pan Zareta's lineage traced back to Hanover and Hindoo
on her multiple stakes-winning sire's side (Abe Frank), and to Leamington
on her dam's side (Caddie Griffith). Pan Zareta's third dam on her mother's side, a certain 1869 Texas
born Mittie Stephens, caused a problem; Mittie Stephens was listed in the American Stud Book
as a 'non-thoroughbred.' Still, due to some complexities in the rulings, Pan Zareta was considered a Thoroughbred. It is interesting to note that neither Pan Zareta's dam, Caddie Griffith, nor Pan Zareta herself appear in the American Stud Book.
Known as "Panzy" (she was named for Panzy Zareta, the daughter of the once mayor of Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico), she traveled the country, appearing virtually anywhere, constantly competing. She was ridden by anyone handy and trained by an assortment of available conditioners: H.S. Newman, E. Foucon, and E.T. Colton are most frequently credited as trainers. She ran an astounding 151 races and won 76 of them—winning and starting in more races than any other mare in U.S. racing history. On 24 different tracks, she always carried higher weights than any of her rivals, males as well as females, often up to 140 pounds (she once carried an unheard of 146 pounds, giving away 46 pounds to the runner up.) She carried 126 pounds or more 48 times, 21 of those times when she won. Pan Zareta finished in the top three 128 times; she was in the money in 85 percent of her starts. Considering the size of the purses, which averaged $300 (the largest purse she ever earned amounted to $1,050), her career earnings of $39,082 was a very respectable sum.
Pan Zareta's most important wins, considering those she was entered in, were the Senoritas Stakes, the Rio Grande Stakes, the Chihuahua Stakes, the Chapultepec Handicap, the Juarez Handicap, and the Katonah Handicap. In 1914, against all the odds and classy runners, Pan Zareta was the Champion Older Female.
Pan Zareta equaled or set eleven track records during her racing career, most notably when at the age of five on February 10, 1915. She set the world record for five furlongs,(:57 1/5) at Juarez that went unbeaten for 31 years, running against Joe Blair, who carried ten pounds less than she did.
On March 24, 1917, Pan Zareta met Old Rosebud, winner of the 1914 Kentucky Derby
, and Colonel Venie on the track. Pan Zareta won, with Colonel Venie receiving second, and Old Rosebud finishing last. When they met a second time on April 6, Old Rosebud gained first, and Pan Zareta came in third.
Pan Zareta was retired as a broodmare in 1918, but failed to conceive a foal, and was thus sent back to the races. While in training in 1918, at eight years of age, Pan Zareta contracted pneumonia
and died in her stall at the Fair Grounds Race Course
in New Orleans on Christmas Day. She was buried in the infield of the Fair Grounds next to Kentucky Derby
winner Black Gold
.
In 1972, Pan Zareta was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
and into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1999. A sprint race is run in her name, the Pan Zareta Handicap
, run at the Fair Grounds each year.
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse born in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1910. She competed from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, as well as in eight U. S. states. While she never won a significant race, and only once beat a top-level horse (Old Rosebud
Old Rosebud (horse)
Old Rosebud was an American Thoroughbred racehorse whose pedigree traced to the influential sire Eclipse, and through Eclipse to the founding stallion, the Godolphin Arabian. In the list of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century by Blood-Horse magazine, Old Rosebud ranks 88th...
), she was still called "Queen of the Turf."
Bred by J. F. and H. S. Newman, from Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,415 at the 2000 census.-History:Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway started service in 1881, with the first train arriving on March 12 of that year, beginning...
, Pan Zareta's sire was Abe Frank, and her mother was Caddie Griffith, sired by Rancocas
Rancocas
Rancocas may refer to the following in the U.S. state of New Jersey:*Rancocas, a village in Westampton Township, Burlington County*Rancocas Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River*Rancocas Farm, in Jobstown...
. Pan Zareta's lineage traced back to Hanover and Hindoo
Hindoo (horse)
Hindoo was an outstanding American Thoroughbred race horse who won 30 of his 35 starts, including the Kentucky Derby, the Travers Stakes and the Clark Handicap. He later sired the Preakness Stakes winner Buddhist and the Belmont Stakes winner and Leading sire in North America, Hanover.He was a bay...
on her multiple stakes-winning sire's side (Abe Frank), and to Leamington
Leamington (horse)
Leamington was a Thoroughbred racehorse, and an influential sire in the United States during the second half of the nineteenth century. He was not only a fast horse, but also showed great staying ability....
on her dam's side (Caddie Griffith). Pan Zareta's third dam on her mother's side, a certain 1869 Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
born Mittie Stephens, caused a problem; Mittie Stephens was listed in the American Stud Book
American Stud Book
The American Stud Book is the stud book for the Thoroughbred horse in the United States. It was founded by Sanders Bruce, with assistance from his brother B. G. Bruce...
as a 'non-thoroughbred.' Still, due to some complexities in the rulings, Pan Zareta was considered a Thoroughbred. It is interesting to note that neither Pan Zareta's dam, Caddie Griffith, nor Pan Zareta herself appear in the American Stud Book.
Known as "Panzy" (she was named for Panzy Zareta, the daughter of the once mayor of Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico), she traveled the country, appearing virtually anywhere, constantly competing. She was ridden by anyone handy and trained by an assortment of available conditioners: H.S. Newman, E. Foucon, and E.T. Colton are most frequently credited as trainers. She ran an astounding 151 races and won 76 of them—winning and starting in more races than any other mare in U.S. racing history. On 24 different tracks, she always carried higher weights than any of her rivals, males as well as females, often up to 140 pounds (she once carried an unheard of 146 pounds, giving away 46 pounds to the runner up.) She carried 126 pounds or more 48 times, 21 of those times when she won. Pan Zareta finished in the top three 128 times; she was in the money in 85 percent of her starts. Considering the size of the purses, which averaged $300 (the largest purse she ever earned amounted to $1,050), her career earnings of $39,082 was a very respectable sum.
Pan Zareta's most important wins, considering those she was entered in, were the Senoritas Stakes, the Rio Grande Stakes, the Chihuahua Stakes, the Chapultepec Handicap, the Juarez Handicap, and the Katonah Handicap. In 1914, against all the odds and classy runners, Pan Zareta was the Champion Older Female.
Pan Zareta equaled or set eleven track records during her racing career, most notably when at the age of five on February 10, 1915. She set the world record for five furlongs,(:57 1/5) at Juarez that went unbeaten for 31 years, running against Joe Blair, who carried ten pounds less than she did.
On March 24, 1917, Pan Zareta met Old Rosebud, winner of the 1914 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, and Colonel Venie on the track. Pan Zareta won, with Colonel Venie receiving second, and Old Rosebud finishing last. When they met a second time on April 6, Old Rosebud gained first, and Pan Zareta came in third.
Pan Zareta was retired as a broodmare in 1918, but failed to conceive a foal, and was thus sent back to the races. While in training in 1918, at eight years of age, Pan Zareta contracted pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and died in her stall at the Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
in New Orleans on Christmas Day. She was buried in the infield of the Fair Grounds next to Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner Black Gold
Black Gold (horse)
Black Gold was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 50th running of the Kentucky Derby in 1924....
.
In 1972, Pan Zareta was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
and into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1999. A sprint race is run in her name, the Pan Zareta Handicap
Pan Zareta Handicap
The Pan Zareta Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana, each winter. An ungraded stakes, the Pan Zareta is a 6 furlong sprint open to fillies and mares four years old and up...
, run at the Fair Grounds each year.